China isn’t Porsche’s largest market quite yet (it’s only a matter of time, now they are #3), but China is now officially the world’s largest market for the Porsche Cayenne. Porsche China CEO Helmut Broeker said it himself to Gasgoo. The luxo-SUV is popular with China’s well-heeled and high-ranking military figures.

By 2012, Broeker expects that the Chinese buy more Porsches than the Germans, and that the Cayenne sells more than 10,000 units. Easy for him to say: Last year 7,556 Cayennes changed hands, and China is eagerly awaiting the Cayenne S and the Cayenne Turbo. They’ll sell here for $217,000 for the Cayenne S and for $300,000 for the Turbo. If you want one, get in line, and pay a deposit of $30,000 for the honor of waiting.

@phila: Yeah, it’s hardly just cars…I’ve got family in the PRC and when I’ve visited it’s the same – autos, a/v, personal electronics, hell even apparel and most definitely some (formerly staples) foodstuffs.

But the “curse” of the West is upon them: Many folks I know in China aren’t buying with cash anymore – credit is also “in”, it’s various forms from revolving to installment.